| Our Farm
Boddington's was established in the 1940s, and is now run by the third generation of the family. Situated on the outskirts of the picturesque, working fishing village of Mevagissey, our farm benefits from a mild climate and fertile soil.
The farm extends to 20 acres and is devoted to strawberries, apart from ½ acre, which is given over to raspberries
Our season begins with glasshouse production in mid-April and extends through until November. We have established a continual harvest throughout these months through the use of different varieties and growing systems, including white and black plastic, straw, fleece, low tunnels, Spanish tunnels and glass. By planting into grow bags on table tops in all our indoor areas, we are able to give the plants precisely what they need, in terms of feed and water.
Cornwall has the perfect climate to grow the best strawberries in the world. Fruit ripens gradually, increasing the sugar content so we can be sure of maximum flavour and sweetness.
From small beginnings, we now harvest over 200 tonnes of fruit each year, and employ over 50 harvest workers through the season. Each year, we increase these figures.
We are proud to be part of a huge and growing industry. Retail sales of fresh strawberries are increasing every year and, today, the UK produces over 50,200 tonnes of fresh and processed strawberries from 3,746 hectares.
History
Boddington's began growing at the top of Tregoney Hill, Mevagissey, Cornwall, during the Second World War. The original site consisted of 2 acres of apples, which soon grew to 3 acres growing a range of crops including flowers, vegetables and Royal Sovereign strawberries. In those days, strawberries had a two-week season!
During the following 30 years, the crops were whittled down, becoming more and more specialised, until, in the late 1960s, strawberries alone were grown. At this time, we purchased more land to increase the holding to 10 acres. Since then, we have become true specialists, and have trialled many new varieties and growing systems to find those most suited to our climate and conditions.
Our farm now extends to 20 acres - the original 10 acres, plus 10 acres of rented ground. Strawberries are still the only crop we grow: but rather than the one variety, we now grow five.
|
